What can I say?

One of the most frequent questions I was asked on my first day at camp was, “Is it anything like you expected?”  It was not ANYTHING like I expected.  I was familiar with the location and some of the regulars.  I have, in the past, done some research on the event and its participants.  I have even participated in many of their functions/events both in the city and in the woods.  It’s the “woods” part that surprised me the most from a personal standpoint but the human dynamic was almost life-changing. Here I was a “camping” with over 2000 alpha males and the only thing any of them had on their minds was making sure that everyone, around them was having a good time. There were captains of industry, politics and entertainment.  Many were internationally recognized celebrities getting away from “celebrity.” Many were musicians and artists gathering to relax and enjoy each other’s talents.  There were folks with more money than god, and there were working stiffs with attributes that the club felt would enhance their cultural growth and humanity.  Few spoke of anything but the camp experience.  Discussions focused on what was said at one of the 3 or 4 discussions, lectures or presentations made at various venues every day.  There was music around every corner. The food was exceptional.  The environment is indescribable. In short, most of what you hear and read about the Grove is fabrication.  It is a private club, it has a valid reputation of being elitist [what private club does not?] and it turned this nature-phobe into a tree-hugger for one wonderful weekend.   Oh yeah, they/we do still pee wherever as long as it is not visible from central facilities were women are employed.

And BTW my blood work today was excellant; I don't have to go in tomorrow, and I didn't gain any weight over the weekend.